Abstract
Ag-Fe2O3 hollow spheres are synthesized by using Ag@C core-shell matrix as sacrificial templates. The morphologies and structures of the as-prepared samples are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction energy dispersive, transmission electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. In contrast to Fe2O3 hollow spheres, Ag-Fe2O3 hollow spheres exhibit much higher electrochemical performances. The Ag-Fe2O3 composites exhibit an initial discharge capacity of 1030.9 mA h g−1 and retain a high capacity of 953.2 mA h g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1 after 200 cycles. Furthermore, Ag-Fe2O3 electrode can maintain a stable capacity of 678 mA h g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 250 cycles. Rate performance of Ag-Fe2O3 electrode exhibits a high capacity of 650.8 mA h g−1 even at 5 A g−1. These excellent performances can be attributed to the decoration of Ag particles which will enhance conductivity and accelerate electrochemical reaction kinetics. Moreover, the hollow structure and the constructing particles with nanosize will benefit to accommodate huge volume change and stabilize the structure.
Highlights
In recent decades, a lot of studies had been triggered in developing high-performance electrode materials with high energy density, high power density, long lifetime and low cost[1,2,3,4]
To the best of our knowledge, a hollow structure of Fe2O3 nanospheres decorated with Ag nanoparticles had never been reported, and we expected the introduction of Ag could improve the electrochemical properties of Fe2O3
The formation of Fe2O3 hollow structure decorated with Ag nanoparticles can be related with the removal of carbon template and surface diffusion processes
Summary
A lot of studies had been triggered in developing high-performance electrode materials with high energy density, high power density, long lifetime and low cost[1,2,3,4]. Among the TMOs, Fe2O3 was considered as a promising anode for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) because of its low cost, high theoretical capacity (1007 mA h g−1), environmental protection and nontoxicity[11,12,13]. One was to retain a large deal of void space by synthesizing porous/nanostructured anode materials (e.g. nanotubes[20, 21], mesoporous materials[22, 23], nanopeapods24), which presented to accommodate the volume change and shorten the Li+ transport distance. They could exhibit enhanced rate capability and improved cycle retention[25]. Compared with Fe2O3 hollow nanospheres, Ag-Fe2O3 hollow nanospheres displayed enhanced cycling properties and excellent performance at high rates
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